Kroger offering flu shots at its more than 1,900 pharmacy locations, 79 clinics nationwide

Cindy Allen

CINCINNATI , August 26, 2011 (PRNewswire) – The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - News) is making it easy and affordable for customers to protect themselves and their families against seasonal flu viruses by offering early vaccinations at one of more than 1,900 pharmacy locations nationwide or 79 The Little Clinic locations in select stores.

No appointments are necessary, vaccine is available today, and all flu shots are administered by certified Kroger pharmacists or The Little Clinic nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

"Health experts recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step to protect against seasonal flu viruses," said Lincoln Lutz, vice president of pharmacy for Kroger. "Kroger's Family of Stores offers a variety of options to our customers, including needle-free flu vaccinations available in many locations and a customized Workplace Flu program to help companies provide for their employees."

The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot for all people age 6 months and older. Influenza is among the most common respiratory illnesses in the United States, infecting millions every flu season. Flu shots have proven to reduce illness, absenteeism and flu-related medical expenses.

Kroger is the fifth-largest pharmacy operator in the United States, based on number of locations. Kroger pharmacists and The Little Clinic nurses administered more than 1 million flu vaccinations during the 2010-2011 flu season.

For additional questions on seasonal flu vaccines, please visit your local Kroger pharmacy or The Little Clinic location. The Little Clinic locations can be found at www.thelittleclinic.com. For more information about the Kroger Workplace Flu program, visit www.kroger.com/corporateflu.

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,449 supermarkets and multi- department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 785 convenience stores, 359 fine jewelry stores, 1,035 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

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